Wales vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn internationals
Follow live reaction from Cardiff after Wales held off a brave Fiji performance to claim their first win in the Autumn Nations Series
Wales have held off a brave effort from 14-man Fiji to bounce back from consecutive defeats and secure their first victory of the Autumn Nations Series.
After visitors Fiji made an impressive start at the Principality Stadium by taking the lead through captain Waisea Nayacalevu, the match was seemingly set to turn when winger Eroni Sau was sent off for a swinging elbow on Alex Cuthbert.
But despite two further yellow cards, either side of half time, Fiji were able to retake the lead when Nayacalevu added his second in a sensational team score, after Wales had briefly hit back through Keiran Hardy and Ryan Elias.
And it wasn’t until late in the match that Wales were able to breathe comfortably, with Louis Rees-Zammit producing an electric finish after chasing down his own kick and player-of-the-match Liam Williams adding a sixth try when the clock was in the red.
Follow below for all the reaction from the Autumn Nations Series match:
Wales 0-0 Fiji
3 mins: Eroni Sau pushes Nick Tompkins to the ground after the Wales centre attempted to tackle, before it comes back for an earlier Fiji penalty.
Wales 0-0 Fiji
2 min: Fiji kick the ball straight back and the retuning Liam Williams collects, before Wales switch the ball out wide to Rees-Zammit. The winger has a couple of opportunities to skip past defenders on the touchline but can’t make any ground, and it’s eventually turned over by Thomas Young.
Fiji threatened to counter but it comes back for a scrum after a Welsh knock-on.
KICK OFF! Wales 0-0 Fiji
Dan Biggar sends the ball into the Fiji half and we are underway!
Wales vs Fiji
It’s Meda Dau Doka, or ‘God Bless Fiji’, for the visitors - and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, or ‘Land of nmy Fathers’, for the hosts.
Two brilliant anthems - which will be followed by the Fiji ‘Cibi’.
Wales vs Fiji
Wales have been forced into another late change!
Josh Adams, who was set to start in the centre, has picked up a problem during the warm-ups and is now OUT of the starting XV.
He has been replaced by Nick Tompkins.
Wales vs Fiji
It’s a perfect afternoon in Cardiff for some autumn rugby, a stark contrast to the conditions in last weekend’s defeat to South Africa. There is some pressure on Wales this afternoon, however, who will want to get back to winning ways at home following consecutive defeats to the All Blacks and the Springboks.
The national anthems and kick-off is coming up shortly!
Wales vs Fiji
There will be plenty of rugby fans who are excited to watch the ‘Flying Fijians’ this afternoon. hopeful for an entertaining display of attacking rugby. Frank Lomani, now a regular starter with Northampton Saints, and Ben Volavola are the key men in the half-back positions, while Vilimae Mata is an established force up in Edinburgh. On the bench, the sight of Nikola Matawalu will frighten Welsh minds if he comes onto the field late on, while Masivesi Dakuwaqa was part of Fiji’s rugby sevens team that defended their gold medal in Tokyo this summer.
Wales vs Fiji
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, talking to Amazon Prime ahead of the match:
[On his team selection] “We didn’t have a lot of options. We have a mounting unavailable list but some of the players pick themselves. We wanted to make some changes as we have the match against Australia in six days’ time, so it’s making sure we have a squad that can get across the two games.
[On Fiji] “Our opponent today I know very well. I loved my time in Fiji. They will give us a different challenge to last week. There will be a lot more off-loads in this game and our defence will have to be on the money. They’re a very good side and their set-pieces have improved and they will give us a good challenge.”
Wales vs Fiji
Ellis Jenkins has been the story of Wales’ November, with the flanker making his first Test appearance in three years last weekend against the Springboks following his return from a serious knee injury.
This week, the Cardiff player has been awarded captaincy duties by head coach Wayne Pivac, following the absence of Alun Wyn Jones.
“Wayne said to me on Tuesday that there would be a couple of changes this week and that my name would be in the mix to be captain,” Jenkins said this week.
“It’s not something that massively fazes me, I tend to be quite vocal on the pitch in terms of organising and problem solving.
“So maybe it’s a little bit more responsibility but not something that changes my game, or the way I approach things.”
Wales vs Fiji
It will be interesting to see how Josh Adams fares in midfield from the start today, after moving inside from the wing late in the second half of last weekend’s defeat to South Africa.
“It’s always been in the back of our minds,” Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said. “He has the ability and the skill set to play in more than one position.
“He obviously played well at full-back on the Lions tour and has played there at club level. We want to see if he can do it at this level.
“There’s a World Cup coming up and you want to build depth in all positions. When you can only take 33 to a World Cup, having guys who can play in multiple positions is important.”
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